Child sleeping apparatus with adjustable sleep angle

ABSTRACT

A sleeping apparatus for infants and children, such as a bassinet, includes a child-receiving sleep receptacle and a frame assembly attached to and supporting the child-receiving sleep receptacle. The child-receiving sleep receptacle includes sidewalls extending between a head end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle and a foot end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle. One or more fasteners extend along one or more of the sidewalls and are operable for opening and closing and thereby lengthening and shortening a height of the one or more sidewalls so as to change an inclination of the foot end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle or of the head end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle, or both.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/762,039 filed Feb. 7, 2013, the entirety ofwhich is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of sleepingapparatus for children and infants, and more particularly to bassinets,inclined sleeping apparatuses, and the like.

SUMMARY

In example embodiments, the present invention provides a sleepingapparatus for infants and children, such as a bassinet, and includes achild receiving sleep receptacle and a frame assembly attached to andsupporting the child receiving sleep receptacle. The sleep receptacleincludes sidewalls extending between a head end of the sleep receptacleand a foot end of the sleep receptacle. One or more fasteners extendalong one or more of the sidewalls and are operable for fastening andunfastening and thereby lengthening and shortening a height of the oneor more sidewalls so as to change an inclination of the foot end of thesleep receptacle or of the head end of the sleep receptacle, or both.This provides a simple, direct, safe, and easy way of changing the sleepangle of the child sleeping apparatus.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention willbe understood with reference to the drawing figures and detaileddescription herein, and will be realized by means of the variouselements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following brief description of the drawings anddetailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory ofpreferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of theinvention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bassinet according to an exampleembodiment of the present invention, shown with a head end portionthereof in an extended or lowered configuration.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the bassinet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the bassinet of FIG. 1, shown witha head end portion thereof in a retracted or raised configuration.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bassinet according to another exampleembodiment of the present invention, shown with a head end portion and afoot end portion thereof each in a retracted or raised configuration.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bassinet of FIG. 4, shown with ahead end portion and a foot end portion thereof each in an extended orlowered configuration.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevation view of a bassinet according to thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to thefollowing detailed description of the invention taken in connection withthe accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure.It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to thespecific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/orshown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments by way of example only and is notintended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patentsand other publications identified in this specification are incorporatedby reference as though fully set forth herein.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a bassinet 100 according to an example embodimentof the present invention. The bassinet 100 generally comprises acollapsible frame 102 configured to rest on a support surface (not shownin the drawings), an infant-receiving sleep receptacle 130 coupled tothe frame 102 and adapted for receiving an infant, and a fastener suchas for example a zipper 170 extending along one or more sidewalls160-164 of the receptacle 130. The bassinet 100 can be constructed suchthat it is convertible between an erect or extended configuration, asshown in FIG. 1, and a collapsed or compact/folded configuration.

The infant-receiving sleep receptacle 130 preferably comprises areclined seat portion, including a head end 132 and a foot end 134, andopposing side walls 160-164 configured to retain an infant within thereceptacle 130. The receptacle 130 can be a fabric sling, can include ahard shell seat, or other construction, as desired. Preferably, the sidewalls 160-164 are at least partially formed from a breathable material,such as a fabric mesh or other flexible material. In this exampleembodiment, the infant-receiving receptacle 130 is supported by an upperframe 120 which is pivotally mounted to the lower frame 110. Generally,the receptacle 130 includes fabric portions looped over portions of theupper frame 120 to be secured therewith. In example forms, the frame 102is tubular. While described generally herein as fabric, one or more ofthe sidewalls may be formed of other flexible materials.

The zipper 170 extending along the one or more sidewalls 160-164 of thereceiving receptacle 130 is operative for opening and closing, therebylengthening and shortening a height of the one or more sidewalls 160-164so as to change an inclination of the head end 132 or the foot end 134of the receiving receptacle 130. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the zipper 170extends along the first sidewall 160, around the head end 132 along thesecond sidewall 164, and along the opposite or third sidewall 164. Inexample embodiments incorporating a headrest recline feature, a supportstructure is optionally provided in the child receiving receptacle tohelp prevent the baby's head from sinking too far into the seat.Preferably, the zipper 170 may start and end along a desired portion ofthe sidewalls 160, 164. Optionally, two zippers may be used to providefor the same inclination adjustment as the single long zipper 170. Inalternate embodiments, other types of fasteners may be used in place ofor in addition to the zipper(s), such as for example buckles, snaps,buttons, clips, hook-and-loop fasteners, or the like.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a bassinet 200 according to another exampleembodiment of the present invention. As shown, the receiving receptacle230 comprises two zippers 270, 272, for example, wherein a change ininclination of the head end 232 and/or the foot end 234 of the receivingreceptacle 230 can be provided. The first zipper 270 extends along thefirst sidewall 260, around the head end 232 along the second sidewall262, and along the opposite or third sidewall 264. The second zipper 272extends along the first sidewall 260, around the foot end 234 along thefourth sidewall 266, and along the opposite or third sidewall 264. Asdescribed above, the zippers 270, 272 may start and end along a desiredportion of the sidewalls 260, 264. Optionally, each zipper 270, 272 maycomprise two zippers to provide for the same inclination as the zippers270, 272.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of the frame 202 and depicting theinclination angles of the head end 232 and the foot end 234. Generally,the opening or closing of the zipper preferably raises or lowers thehead end 232 or foot end 234 by more than 5 degrees. As shown, the headend 232 can be lowered from an angle α (with the zipper 270 closed) toan angle β (with the zipper 270 open). Similarly, the foot end 234 canbe lowered from an angle α (with the zipper 272 closed) to an angle β(with the zipper 272 open). Generally, angle α is about 27 degrees abovethe horizontal and angle β is about 20 degrees above the horizontal.

Certain example embodiments of the bassinet may also include wheels orrollers (or other conventional means for sliding/rolling across thesupport surface), as shown in various figures herein. The wheels allowthe bassinet to be transported easily from room to room, withoutdisturbing an infant positioned therein. The depicted embodimentsinclude a wheel at the rear of each base portion, but other embodimentsmay include fewer or more wheels (or other means for sliding/rolling)positioned anywhere on base portions. The bassinet can also include ahandle which a caregiver may grasp as they push or pull the bassinet tovarious locations. The handle is preferably positioned at the front ofthe infant-receiving receptacle, such that the front is elevated abovethe support surface when a caregiver grasps and lifts the handle. Thus,the weight of the bassinet is transferred to the wheels at the rear ofthe base portions.

The infant bassinet can include an optional pocket configured to holdvarious items, such as, example, a bottle, pacifier, or most preferably,a vibration unit. The pocket is preferably positioned on theinfant-receiving receptacle or one of the arm members, such that thevibratory motion of the vibration unit is transferred to theinfant-receiving receptacle. Other example embodiments may include apocket positioned at an alternative location on the bassinet and/or mayinclude additional pockets. Optionally, the bassinet can include aharness 280 or similar means for restraining an infant positioned withinthe infant-receiving receptacle.

Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference toa particular numerical value includes at least that particular value,unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressedherein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to“about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a rangeis expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular valueand/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values areexpressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it willbe understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferred andexample embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within thescope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

1. A sleeping apparatus for infants and children comprising: achild-receiving sleep receptacle; a frame assembly attached to andsupporting the child-receiving sleep receptacle; wherein thechild-receiving sleep receptacle includes sidewalls extending between ahead end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle and a foot end of thechild-receiving sleep receptacle; and one or more fasteners extendingalong one or more of the sidewalls and operable for lengthening andshortening a height of the one or more sidewalls so as to change aninclination of the foot end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle orof the head end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle.
 2. A sleepingapparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more fasteners isassociated with the head end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle toraise and lower the head end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle byoperation of the one or more fasteners.
 3. A sleeping apparatus asclaimed in claim 2 wherein the one or more fasteners extends at leastpartially along one sidewall and at least partially along the othersidewall.
 4. A sleeping apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the oneor more fasteners raises and lowers the head end or the foot end by morethan 5 degrees.
 5. A sleeping apparatus as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe one or more fasteners is associated with the foot end of thechild-receiving sleep receptacle to raise and lower the foot end of thechild-receiving sleep receptacle by operation of the one or morefasteners.
 6. A sleeping apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the oneor more fasteners extends at least partially along one sidewall and atleast partially along the other sidewall.
 7. A sleeping apparatus asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more fasteners comprises at leasttwo fasteners, with at least one fastener operable for raising andlowering the head end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle and withat least another fastener operable for raising and lowering the foot endof the child-receiving sleep receptacle.
 8. A sleeping apparatus asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the inclination of the foot end or of thehead end of the child-receiving sleep receptacle is varied by the atleast one or more fasteners from about 20 degrees above horizontal tomore than 25 degrees above horizontal by operation of the one or morefasteners.
 9. A sleeping apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the oneor more fasteners comprise zippers for opening and closing to lengthenor shorten the height of the sidewalls.
 10. A sleeping apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the sidewalls are fabric.
 11. A sleepingapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame assembly isconvertible between an erect configuration and a collapsedconfiguration.
 12. A bassinet comprising a frame assembly, achild-receiving receptacle attached to the frame assembly, thechild-receiving receptacle comprising sidewalls at least partiallyformed of a flexible material, and at least one fastener extending alongat least a portion of the sidewalls of the child-receiving receptacle,the at least one fastener operable to change an inclination of at leasta portion of the child-receiving receptacle.
 13. The bassinet of claim12, wherein the frame assembly is convertible between an extendedconfiguration and a compact folded configuration.
 14. The bassinet ofclaim 12, wherein the flexible material of the sidewalls comprisesfabric.
 15. The bassinet of claim 12, wherein the fastener comprises azipper operable to lengthen or shorten a height of at least a portion ofthe sidewalls to change the inclination of the child-receivingreceptacle.
 16. The bassinet of claim 12, wherein the child-receivingreceptacle defines a head end and a foot end, and wherein operation ofthe fastener changes the inclination of the head end of thechild-receiving receptacle.
 17. The bassinet of claim 12, wherein thechild-receiving receptacle defines a head end and a foot end, andwherein two fasteners are provided, operation of a first fastenerchanging the inclination of the head end of the child-receivingreceptacle, and operation of a second fastener changing the inclinationof the foot end of the child-receiving receptacle.
 18. The bassinet ofclaim 12, wherein the change of inclination of at least a portion of thechild-receiving receptacle comprises a change of inclination of at least5°.
 19. A sleeping apparatus for infants and children comprising: acollapsible frame assembly convertible between an erect configurationand a collapsed configuration; a child-receiving receptacle supported bythe frame assembly and comprising sidewalls at least partially formed ofa flexible material, the child-receiving receptacle defining a head endand a foot end; and a fastener operable between a fastened state whereinthe head end of the child-receiving receptacle is oriented at a firstinclination and an unfastened state wherein the head end of thechild-receiving receptacle is oriented at a second inclination, thefirst and second inclinations being offset from one another by at least5°.
 20. The sleeping apparatus of claim 19, wherein the fastenercomprises a zipper.